Comments on: The Future of CHIP – What if it Goes Away? http://www.momsrising.org/blog/the-future-of-chip-%e2%80%93-what-if-it-goes-away/ Where Moms and the people who love them fight for a better America Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:18:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: REv. Kathleen Breunig-Maize http://www.momsrising.org/blog/the-future-of-chip-%e2%80%93-what-if-it-goes-away/comment-page-1/#comment-10515 REv. Kathleen Breunig-Maize Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:44:46 +0000 http://www.momsrising.org/blog/?p=2215#comment-10515 Every day I work with families that are dependent on KChip fo Kentucky. Like Kyla I am worried this program will expire and the gap in coverage will cause families with children like her daughter tremendous hardship. Every day I work with families that are dependent on KChip fo Kentucky. Like Kyla I am worried
this program will expire and the gap in coverage will cause families with children like her daughter tremendous hardship.

]]> By: Kyla http://www.momsrising.org/blog/the-future-of-chip-%e2%80%93-what-if-it-goes-away/comment-page-1/#comment-9793 Kyla Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:14:34 +0000 http://www.momsrising.org/blog/?p=2215#comment-9793 As a parent of a medically-needy, uninsurable child (and also of a typically developing child), the thought of the CHIP program expiring is panic-inducing. It is literally the only plan that will cover her, and if it were to expire, I have no idea how we would provide for her. I am in favor of health care reform, but to allow this plan to expire before a successful alternative plan is in place would be tragic for us. As a parent of a medically-needy, uninsurable child (and also of a typically developing child), the thought of the CHIP program expiring is panic-inducing. It is literally the only plan that will cover her, and if it were to expire, I have no idea how we would provide for her. I am in favor of health care reform, but to allow this plan to expire before a successful alternative plan is in place would be tragic for us.

]]> By: Sue http://www.momsrising.org/blog/the-future-of-chip-%e2%80%93-what-if-it-goes-away/comment-page-1/#comment-9764 Sue Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:22:58 +0000 http://www.momsrising.org/blog/?p=2215#comment-9764 The CHIP program in Indiana has been a very successful program involving partnerships between the State and managedcare plans who accept risk for the members. The average capitation rates paid by tax dollars to managed care plans to cover a comprehensive health benefit with medical and pharmacy benefit and no copayments or deductibles for the member averages $80-100 per month. There are no pre-existing exclusions and the family pays a small premium, based on their financial status. The program is easy for members to join and the benefit plan is straight forward. It is troubling that plans like these are at risk because they are being managed exceptionally well with emphasis on HEDIS and NCQA accreditation by the plans. Prior to the use of MCOs, the State managed the program with little emphasis on care management, cost controls, or quality. It is estimated that taxpayers save nearly 30% from the original cost of the program run by the state, when contracting with MCOs. I cannot imagine an exchange of government healthcare programs to be as efficient and effective in rendering healthcare services to Indiana CHIP members as what currently exists. I question the wisdom of politicians in Washington who think they understand the healthcare needs of Hoosiers in making nationwide choices that affect citizens in Indiana and other states. In spite of the economic downturn, the State of Indiana has managed without deficits; the same cannot be said about the Federal government. The CHIP program in Indiana has been a very successful program involving partnerships between the State and managedcare plans who accept risk for the members. The average capitation rates paid by tax dollars to managed care plans to cover a comprehensive health benefit with medical and pharmacy benefit and no copayments or deductibles for the member averages $80-100 per month. There are no pre-existing exclusions and the family pays a small premium, based on their financial status. The program is easy for members to join and the benefit plan is straight forward.

It is troubling that plans like these are at risk because they are being managed exceptionally well with emphasis on HEDIS and NCQA accreditation by the plans. Prior to the use of MCOs, the State managed the program with little emphasis on care management, cost controls, or quality. It is estimated that taxpayers save nearly 30% from the original cost of the program run by the state, when contracting with MCOs. I cannot imagine an exchange of government healthcare programs to be as efficient and effective in rendering healthcare services to Indiana CHIP members as what currently exists. I question the wisdom of politicians in Washington who think they understand the healthcare needs of Hoosiers in making nationwide choices that affect citizens in Indiana and other states. In spite of the economic downturn, the State of Indiana has managed without deficits; the same cannot be said about the Federal government.

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